Volume 10, Issue 12 | December 2021 |
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Greetings!
A Daily Word reading from earlier this month has stuck with me, reminding me of a similar concept in ACIM (A Course in Miracles): “Choose peace.”
I have the power to claim peace at all times and in all situations. “… I don’t let minor irritations knock me off-center or linger in my awareness. God’s peace is my peace, forever” (Daily Word, Sunday, December 5, 2021).
The Course reminds us of how much and how easily we allow our minds to wander. We have a choice. I have a choice. Do I want to be right or be happy? Do I want to be irritated, angry, leading to high blood pressure and other dis-ease physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual? It is all up to me. I have the power, I make the choice either way, to let outside circumstances and people overpower me, give away my power for peace.
Of course, I need to be conscious, awake, if I want to keep my peace, or more realistically, return to peace. I need to have the desire and intention, the willingness to do what it takes to change things around for me. And, I might need to ask for some help, especially from Spirit. Once again, it is an inside job, it’s about the inner, not the outer world of illusion and appearances.
One of the actions I can take to get back to peace is to surrender, to let go of the immediate situation (people, place, thing) to the present moment. And, in the present moment, I tap into Spirit and therefore, peace.
During this season of peace, how timely that I am finally internalizing that it is up to me!
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Inspiration and Contemplation |
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Spirituality
Solstice Altar of Light
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I read a meditation on the morning of the winter solstice that was delightful and helpful, and I think applicable any day. Even just reading it, let alone envisioning it, I found myself refreshed and uplifted. Here it is:
Imagine a beautiful altar made of light. Go to the altar and leave all you no longer need or want on it. That’s right. Today is the day to let go and let God.
When you are finished putting all your pain, the terrible memories, the shame, the guilt, everything you no longer need on the altar, watch the altar of light absorb it all. Watch it become light.
Now look down and see a shallow pool of beautiful light at your feet. Step in and let the light fill you up. Let it fill all the spaces that once held the stuff you just left behind. When you feel complete, step out of the pool and return to your body in the room where you have been meditating.
Let yourself be renewed.
Excerpted from:
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People Making a Difference
A Violin AND a Home for Christmas!
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I have been reading Leo Notenboom’s various emails and e-newsletters for a long time.
It started with me landing on his website Ask Leo when I was searching for some computer information, and then I signed up for his weekly Confident Computing email. Next, I somehow learned about the brief stories he collects that relate a simple incident from long ago in a person’s life that had a life-changing impact on them. He posts them on HeroicStories—Restoring Faith in Humanity… One Story at a Time; you can also subscribe to a free subscription. More recently, I’ve been receiving Leo’s 7 Takeaways, “something of substance each day, collected and delivered weekly.” The brief and informative topics cover a wide spectrum.
The heroic story I share below, A Home for Christmas, is particularly touching to me because music is so very important to me and this story involves a man’s beloved musical instrument. He was willing to part with it in order to get some much-needed money for his family; I can understand the courage and strength—and love for his family—he had to be able to make that decision. However, as you'll see, people can be so thoughtful, giving, and generous, and change the course of others' lives magnificently.
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Wishing you a very blessed holiday season and joyous, peaceful new year! |
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Joyce S. Kaye, MSW
928.301.7292
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e-newsletter designed, developed, written, and published by Joyce S. Kaye |
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You, Me, and Spirit
I was a devout atheist until 31 years ago when I "came to believe" in a Power greater than myself. Thanks to hearing the novel idea (well, at least it was to me!) that one could choose their own concept of God--and name too (Spirit, The Great Mystery, All That Is, etc.)--and the workings of synchronicity, I embarked on a new way of thinking, a new way of living, a new way of being in the world and with others. It impacted all aspects of my life and relationships.
Since that time of commencing my conscious spiritual journey, I have endeavored to remember The Presence in all that is, all whom I meet, and all that I do -- including working with clients in my own business and in the corporate world. I strive to be of service and to nurture the human spirit in all environments.
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